#deemed forest

The Supreme Court ruled that an approved Master Plan under the Delhi Development Act overrides deemed forest status claims under the Forest (Conservation) Act, even if tree growth occurred post-acquisition. This binding precedent clarifies that statutory urban development plans take precedence over subsequent environmental classifications, impacting railway land development and urban planning authorities.

NGT holds that pre-1980 public roads recorded as 'Gair Mumkin Sadak' in revenue records are exempt from Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, affirming customary easement rights.